There are a few things I'd like to add about the recent postings
regarding Andrew's questions.

The Washington State Archives provides services to convert images to
archival (500 year life expectancy) microfilm.  As someone mentioned,
the rate is less than 2 cents per image for most image file formats.
Using this service will typically result in about a ten year or less
ROI, depending on your agency's costs for storing paper records.

The Archives provides FREE storage of the microfilm in secure
underground environmentally controlled vaults.  The microfilm is
inspected and treated with polysulfide to prolong the life of the media.
It is then transferred to vault storage to ensure compliance with
Washington State and AIIM/ANSI standards.  A diazo copy is unnecessary
unless an analog 'backup' is desired in the event of network or server
failures that prevent access to the imaging system.

Maintaining permanent records in perpetuity online is an expensive
proposition.  Annual hardware and software maintenance expenses are
typically 15 percent per year of the initial purchase price.  In
addition, money must be budgeted for upgrades as vendors continually
release new software versions and hardware products and stop supporting
the old version within a few years.  In essence, you need to plan to
expend the same amount of money as your initial investment (or more)
every five years or so.  

Microfilm, while not required in all cases, is an inexpensive "insurance
policy" to help protect the records that we are held accountable to
preserve.

Greg Mennegar
Office of Secretary of State
Washington State Archives 
Imaging and Preservation Services
Manager
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http://www.secstate.wa.gov/archives/imaging.aspx

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